Meribah (Rephidim)

A location near Rephidim, also called Massah, where the Israelites rebelled against Moses because of a lack of water.

About Meribah (Rephidim)

A place name meaning "strife" or "conflict." It is named for a place at Horeb, near Rephidim (Wadi Feiran). There, Israel contended with Moses for water at the start of the wilderness wanderings (Exodus 17:7). This is the place probably referred to in Deuteronomy 33:8 and Psalm 95:8 and is also called Massah.

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Rephidim Place

A location in the Sinai Peninsula, between Alush and the wilderness of Sinai, where the Israelites encamped on their way from Egypt to Canaan.

Massah and Meribah Article

Massah and Meribah were two places where the Israelites complained about not having water during their journey through the desert. In Hebrew, massah means “to put to the test”...

Key References

Numbers 20:13

These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them.

Deuteronomy 33:8

Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.

All Scripture References (3)

Exodus (1)
Exodus 17:7

He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

Deuteronomy (1)
Deuteronomy 33:8

Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.

Psalms (1)
Psalm 95:8

do not harden your hearts as you did at Meribah, in the day at Massah in the wilderness,